The Portland daily press., 1887-08-04
kee, and the other in Madison. Both are in

excellent condition.
Mr. Hitchcock reported that ST. Louis has
300 members. Neither party supports the
league, but the association includes many
members of both parties. The association
is active and prosperous.
Mr.. Montgomery of Pennsylvania reported
satisfactory year for his association. The
year has been an active one, especially fOI
PHILADELPHIA. He saw some ray of hope.
Dorman Il. Eaton inquired If there was
proof that out of 1914 appointments in the
post Office of Philadelphia, 1872 were of the
Democratic party.
Mr.. Montgomery replied that a canyss
made by the association showed that this
was true.
Mr.. Story reported for Massachusetts II
was obvious that nothing is to be gained
there from either party. Under existing CON
troll nothing can be expected there in the
cause OF reform and yet the cause is growing
in the State.
Mr.. Grover, of Chicago, reported that his
association was reduced to 200 but in an ac-
tive condition The association has become
convinced of the necessity of some extend
ed powers of the commissioners, to examine
witnesses and give oaths.
Mr.. Bonaparte,. of Baltimore, was called
upon to tell something about Higgins. He
thought, however, that Higgins might be left
alone until the report of the committee on
resolutions was received, as he would prob
ably form large part of that report. He
had heard it suggested that President Cleve-
land desired the reform system ef the coun-
try to have an awful example and had set
tied on the federal system of Maryland as
that example. If so he thought the expert
ment had been eminently successful.
Senator Foulke, OF Indiana, reported that
his association was advancing the cause of
reform in that State. He said that the en-
tire State Of Indiana is run by the machine
and the reform association Is bound hand
and foot and consigned to the hands of the
spoilers.
The Resolutions.
The committee on resolutions reported as
follows, by Everett P. Wheeler, chairman:
First-The National Civil Service Reform League
while acknowledging the many excellent appoint
ments made by the present administration, the
frequent instances of executive disregard OF
merely partisan demands and conspicuous in
stances of the retention of satisfactory officers
during their terms, has yet learned with profound
regret that the change in the civil service is so
great as to forecast les complete partisan recon-
struction by the close of the administration. The
League does not believe such a change to have
been required by the condition of the service nor
justified by the intelligent public desire expec-
tation. Holding that the changes of inferior Off
GERS should not be made for partisan reasons or
ers it regards the action OF the administration in
this respect as tending to confirm the system of
abuses which the League seeks TO reform, and as
ing administrations. Notwithstanding this ac-
tlOn, the unprecedented prominence which the
question has acquired in public attention, the
partisan complaints that all former incumbents
were not dismissed at once, on the one hand and
ON the other the complaints by the friends of re-
form at the failures to maintain its principles as
well as the public dissatisfaction with the unfor-
tunate results which have in many cases followed
such failures all attest signal progress in reform
ana oner tne strongest assurance of the rapid
growth OF public sentiment which win heartily
sustain resolute and consistent enforcement Of
reform principles.
Second-On July a. 1885, the President adj
dressed circular to certain officers of the Gov
ernment, warning them against offensive parti-
sahsnlp, manipulation Of party primary meetings
ana nominating conventions, and all dictation of
party action The circular was designed to cor
rect one OF the gravest and most notorious of
ABUSES IN the civil service-the interference of
office holders with elections. 1t Is publicly and
responsibly alleged that at the recent primary
elections in Baltimore this executive circular was
cOntemptuouSly dehed by certain federal office
holders. The Maryland Civil Service Reform AS
sociation is respectfully requested on behalf of
the League to Investigate these charges and 10
report the facts and the evidence TO the Executive
Committee of the League, to the end that should
the facts as alleged be established, the League,
with the Maryland Association may earnestly and
respectfully request the President promptly to
dismiss the offenders.
Third-The League respectfully renews its rec
ommendation that the application Of the civil SER
vice rules should be extended TO the District of
Columbia, to the postal mall service to the Gle ri
cal force IN the Indian service, and TO other ic-
es where smaller force than fifty clerks are
required and 1t further recommends that assist
o
divisions should be included within the
CLASSIFIED service, because the treatment of such
places as political officers to be changed with a
change OF administration involves the gravest det-
rment to the efficiency of the service, as well as
the other evils which spring from Unreasonable
official chances.
[The fourth, fixth and sixth resolutions recon-
mend the consideration of nominations by the
Senate In open session. the repeal of acts limiting
the tenne of inferior offices to four years. compe,
tency, fidelity and good behaviour to be the sole
cOnultlOnS OF continuance OF employment in the
public services, and requirement that appoint
ing ocers shall keep public records Of their actsl
recommends to its constituent associations: l.
That the associations in those States in which no
civil service law has been adopted exert them.
serves 20 the utmost to promote the passage of
laws establishing the merit system of appointment
TO ofices IN the penal, reformatory charitable and
educational institutions and in the principal cities
IN their respective States in which such associa-
IONS are organized; %, that the associations in
those States in which civil service laws have been
enacted watch vigilansly over the manner in
whlch those laws are enforced and guard against
any alteration which shall impair their efficiency;
80, tnat the association continue the practice of
lnterrogating candidates for office as to their
views respecting the merit system of appointing
ana their Willingness to aid In the enforcement OF
existing laws respecting the same or in the en-
actment OF laws which shall extend the operation
OF that system and render it more effective"
The resolutions. were severally adopted
without change, with the exception of the
Eaton, was amended to read that the
league recognizes the good faith with
which the President has sought to uphold
the civil service examinations" and another
inserting the word ''unclassifed" before
service" in the body of the resolutions, and
the resolution was passed as thus amended.